Editor’s Best Bet: Fireworks on the Fourth
A part of the vast celebratory offerings this Independence Day (see details in the calendar), there are three local opportunities to witness large fireworks displays.
After the demolition derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, there will be a free fireworks display at approximately 10:30 p.m. Seating is free and there is plenty of room for fireworks spectators.
In Pe Ell, fireworks will be on display at about 10:15 p.m. at Pe Ell School.
On the east end of the county, there will be a fireworks show at White Pass Junior Senior High School at about 10 p.m.
The city of Vader is scheduling a fireworks show at about 10 p.m.
Today
Fish Tank Added to Summerfest Activities
Summerfest, Centralia’s Fourth of July celebration, has a new addition this year.
This year with low water levels in Borst Lake, the organizing committee is bringing in a large fish tank stocked with 300 fish and equipped with poles.
Like always, Fort Borst Park will be filled with free entertainment and games for kids and adults alike. Along with trolley rides, an egg toss, bubblegum blowing, and frisbee throws, the games are staggered throughout the afternoon and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A breakfast sponsored by Sierra Pacific will kick off the festivities at 7 a.m. and will provide a free breakfast of all you can eat pancakes and sausage.
This year about 30 cars are signed up to participate in the destruction derby, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
Another popular activity is the SWAT challenge. The event allows people to take the Centralia Police Department entry-level SWAT team exam. At the same time, the 10th annual “I Ran From the Cops” 8K or 1.5 mile health walk will take place.
A parade will start at 4 p.m. in downtown Centralia under the sponsorship of Windermere Real Estate.
Half of the proceeds provided by Windermere will help support the parade, while the other half will go toward the restoration efforts at the Fox Theatre in downtown Centralia.
Steve Koreis-MacLeod, president of the Centralia Downtown Association, said there could be anywhere from 90 to 110 units in the parade.
This year’s theme is “Freedom is Not Free” and the parade will include numerous military entries and at least two equestrian entries.
Fred and Laura Rider, the owners of the Lewis County Destruction Derby Association, and Tim and Maryann Browning will be the grand marshals of the parade. Both were chosen because the couples have helped with Summerfest in one capacity or another for over 30 years.
Summerfest Activities
Fort Borst Park
7-10 a.m. — Sierra Pacific free pancake breakfast at Kitchen #1 in Borst Park
8:30 a.m. — SWAT Challenge at Park Building at 902 Johnson
8:30 a.m. — Annual “I Ran from the Cops” 8K run or 1.5 mile health walk at 902 Johnson
10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Free entertainment, games, trolley rides, hay rides, cribbage tournament, horseshoes and historical military display at Fort Borst Park
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Hot dog lunch with drinks available ($2, donation which goes to Centralia Police Youth Sports Program, fastpitch and soccer)
1-3 p.m. — Free tours of historic Borst Home and One Room Schoolhouse
Historic Downtown Centralia
4 p.m. — Windermere Centralia 4th of July Summerfest Parade -
Theme: “Freedom is Not Free”
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
5:00 p.m.— Tickets go on sale for Destruction Derby (no advance tickets available)
7:00 p.m. — Destruction Derby
After the derby — Free fireworks display (approximately 10:30 pm). Seating is free and there is plenty of room for fireworks spectators.
For more information, call (360) 330-7688
Pe Ell Offers Fourth of July Fireworks Display
Pe Ell will have fireworks starting at about 10:15 p.m. tonight at the Pe Ell School. The show is about 30 minutes long.
The city will also have a parade at noon downtown with vendors.
Independence Day Parade, Celebration Coming to Oakville
Oakville will be hosting its annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration on today.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and this year’s theme is “Dream in Red, White, and Blue.”
Along with the parade, vendors will be selling items. The vendors will stay open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Late entries to the parade are welcome. Entry forms for both the parade and vendors can be found at www.oakvillecityhall.com and can be dropped off at Umpqua Bank in Oakville.
The annual celebration is hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.
Vader Plans Its Own Fourth of July Festival
Vader has plenty of fun planned for its Fourth of July celebration.
Activities will include a parade, games, prizes, vendors, food, horse rides and a water ball walk.
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. People are encouraged to decorate their riding mowers and bicycles with a Fourth of July theme and attempt to win the first prize.
A fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.
For more information, call Reggie Smith, (360) 751-4034.
Splash Bash to Raise Money for Tenino Quarry Pool
Tenino will be holding a Splash Bash Family Fun Carnival today to raise money for the Tenino Quarry Pool. The event will take place at the Tenino City Park and Quarry Pool from noon to 5 p.m.
Among the activities will be a blowup bounce house, face painting, carnival games (ring toss, bean bag toss, duck pond, coin drop, 3-in-a-row ball toss), entertainment and food.
The Tenino Fire Department will have a display and share safety tips on proper handling of fireworks. The nearby Tenino Train Depot Museum and Ticknor School House will be open during the event.
Zumba in the Park will perform 2:30-3:30 p.m. A dunk tank will be onsite and will include local officials John O’Callahan, Jim Swenson, (previous chief), Mayor Bret Broderson and Tenino firefighters.
The cost of admission is $3 per person or $10 per family. The admission includes entrance into the Quarry Pool. Additional charges for carnival games and food will occur.
The Splash Bash Committee is also conducting two raffles. Raffle tickets for $5 will be on sale in advance. The raffle prizes include: a one-week stay at the Wapato Resort at Lake Chelan, an overnight stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, a wine tasting for eight including appetizers at Mill Lane Winery and a wine tasting party for 20 at the Scatter Creek Winery. The $5 raffle tickets can be purchased either at the Scatter Creek Winery, or by emailing a request to splashbasht90@gmail.com, by messaging a request to Splash Bash at Facebook or by leaving a message at (360) 237-4418
The day of the event, a $1 per ticket raffle will be held for many prizes donated by area businesses.
Big Bottom Blast Featured in East Lewis County
East Lewis County residents will have a host of options for celebrating Independence Day this weekend during the Big Bottom Blast. The Randle Firefighters’ Association is hosting several events over the weekend during the festivities.
From Friday through Sunday, there will be a flea market behind the fire station starting at 8 a.m. and ending around 6 p.m. or later.
On the Saturday and Sunday, there will be a community breakfast offering all-you-can-eat pancakes or biscuits and gravy at the fire station as well.
On Saturday night, there will be a fireworks display taking place at White Pass Junior Senior High starting at 10 p.m.
The high school is located at 516 Silverbrook Road in Randle. The fire department is at 9978 U.S. Highway 12 in Randle.
Contact Randle Fire & EMS at (360) 497-2313 for more information
Dancing, Country Four, 7-10 p.m., South Union Grange, 10030 Tilley Road S., Olympia, (360) 352-2135
Lewis County Bluegrass Jam & Stage Show, Adna Grange, 123 Dieckman Road, Adna, jam 3 p.m., $6 dinner 5 p.m., stage show 6 p.m., $5 donation at door, (360) 520-7281
Pe Ell Farmers Market, 7 a.m.-noon, state Highway 6 and Seventh Avenue, Pe Ell, (360) 245-3339
Tenino Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tenino Elementary School, www.teninofarmersmarket.org
Open house, Borst Home, Carriage House and One-Room Schoolhouse, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sound end of Fort Borst Park, Centralia, free, donations accepted, (360) 330-7662
Excursion Train Ride & Museum Tour, 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe, www.mrsr.com, (360) 569-7959
Backfire, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Scatter Creek Grill, Lucky Eagle Casino, 21 and up, (360) 273-2000, ext. 301
Rochester/Grand Mound Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Rochester Middle School, (360) 273-5732
Libraries
All Timberland libraries closed, Independence Day
Organizations
Disabled American Veterans, 1 p.m., American Legion building, 111 W. Main St., Centralia, (360) 245-3357 or (360) 262-9360
Support Groups
PFLAG, 1-3 p.m., Centralia United Methodist Church, 506 S. Washington Ave., Centralia, provides families with information to dispel myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender identity, http://www.pflagcc.org/
Sunday, July 5
Bingo, doors open 5 p.m., bingo starts 6:30 p.m., Forest Grange, 3397 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
Dancing, Jack & the Roadrunners, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Swede Hall, Rochester, (360) 807-1761, (360) 520-6518
Community meal, 1-3 p.m., Rotary Riverside Park, Centralia, free, sponsored by Jesus Name Pentecostal Church, Chehalis, (360) 623-9438
Open house/barbecue, Pathway Church of God, 1416 S. Scheuber Road, Centralia, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, free
Excursion Train Ride & Museum Tour, 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe, www.mrsr.com, (360) 569-7959
Chicken barbecue, Packwood Improvement Club, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Packwood Community Park, adults $8, children under 12 $5, (360) 508-0470
Organizations
Men’s Fraternity, 6-7:30 p.m., Dayspring Baptist Church, 2088 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, (360) 748-3401 or email dayspringbaptistch@gmail.com
Monday, July 6
Burger Night, 5-7:30 p.m., Centralia Eagles, quarter-pound hamburgers, $1.75, other menu items, (360) 736-1146
“Jurassic World,” 7 p.m., Roxy Theater, Morton, rated PG-13, adults $7, children, students, seniors $6, (360) 496-5599
Organizations
Lewis County Republican Central Committee, dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., meeting, 6:30 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, (360) 736-4500
Centralia Bridge Club, noon, Unity Church, 800 S. Pearl St., Centralia, (360) 748-1753, hraj@localaccess.com
Writer’s Forum, 7-9 p.m., 4162 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, (360) 262-0525
Chehalis-Centralia Optimists, 6:30 p.m., Twin Cities Senior Center, (360) 807-4733
Pinochle, 6 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd, Chehalis, (360) 520-0772
Tuesday, July 7
Bingo, Chehalis Moose Lodge, doors open at 4:30 p.m., game starts at 6:30 p.m.; food available, (360) 736-9030
Health and Hope Medical Outreach, free medical clinic, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Northwest Pediatrics, 1911 Cooks Hill Road, Centralia, for those whose income is less than 200 percent of the poverty level, (360) 623-1485
Community Farmers Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Boistfort Street, downtown Chehalis, (360) 740-1295, www.communityfarmersmarket.net
Public Agencies
Chemical Dependency-Mental Health-Therapeutic Court Sales Tax Advisory Committee, 2:30 p.m., conference room, Lewis County Public Health & Social Services Department, (360) 740-1148
Lewis County PUD Commission, 9 a.m., 240 Seventh St., Morton, (360) 748-9261 or (800) 562-5612
Pe Ell Town Council, 6 p.m., City Hall, (360) 291-3543
Libraries
Chris Fascione: Stories & Juggling, for all ages, 10:30 a.m., Oakville
Olympia Family Theater, for all ages, 10:30 a.m., Packwood
See the Hero in You, for children grades 1-6, 11 a.m., Chehalis
Superhero Crafternoon, for children, noon, Tenino
Brian Waite Band, for all ages, 2 p.m., Centralia
Olympia Family Theater, for all ages, 2 p.m., Randle
Organizations
NAMI Lewis County educational program, 6-7:30 p.m., Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, (360) 880-8070 or sherry500us@gmail.com
Senior Song Birds, 9:50 a.m., Twin Cities Senior Center, 2545 National Ave., Chehalis, (360) 740-4199
Southwest Washington Mycological Society, 6 p.m., WSU Lewis County Extension conference room, Lewis County Courthouse, (360) 740-1212
Centralia Bridge Club, 6:30 p.m., Unity Church, 800 S. Pearl St., Centralia, (360) 748-1753, hraj@localaccess.com
Writer’s Forum, 1-3 p.m., 4162 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, (360) 262-0525
Two Town Tuners, 7 p.m., Lewis and Clark Hotel, 117 W. Magnolia St., Centralia, (360) 269-8146 or (360) 748-3521
Tuesday Quilting Rebels, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oakview Grange, 2715 N. Pearl St., Centralia, (360) 736-4671
Support Groups
Support for mothers, 9:15-11:15 a.m., Bethel Church, for mothers with children pregnancy through 6 years old, sponsored by Chehalis MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), (360) 520-3841 or (360) 864-2168, email chehalismops@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/chehalismops
NAMI Lewis County Connections Support Group, 5:30-7 p.m., Twin Cities Senior Center, (360) 880-8070 or sherry500us@gmail.com
Al-Anon, Fellowship in Unity, 6 p.m., Unity Center, 800 S. Pearl St., Centralia, (360) 736-8104 or (360) 736-6439
Survivors of sexual assault/abuse, for people who speak Spanish, 5:30-7 p.m., 125 NW Chehalis Ave., Chehalis, sponsored by Human Response Network, (360) 748-6601
Wednesday, July 8
Bingo, doors open 5 p.m., bingo starts 6:30 p.m., Forest Grange, 3397 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
Young Professionals Lewis County Networking Social, 5-8 p.m., Riverside Golf Club Roof Top Bar, Chehalis, (206) 293-6126
Open mic, 6-10 p.m., Jeremy’s Farm to Table, 476 W. Main St., Chehalis, (360) 748-4417
Public Agencies
Riverside Fire Authority Board of Commissioners, 5 p.m., Headquarters Station, 1818 Harrison Ave., Centralia, (360) 736-3975 or sslorey@riversidefire.net
White Pass Country Museum, board meeting, 10 a.m., White Pass Country Museum, 12290 U.S. Highway 12, Packwood
Libraries
Super Science, for all ages, all day, Winlock
Superhero Scavenger Hunt, for all ages, all day, Winlock
Wacky Wednesday, for children, all day, Tenino
Family Story Time, for children, 10:15 a.m., Tenino
Lunch Break With Criminal Minds, for adults, noon, Centralia
Family Movie Matinee: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, for children, 1:30 p.m., Centralia
Comics & Manga Upcycled, for teens, 3:30 p.m., Packwood
Teen Movie Matinee: Jurassic Park, for teens, 3:30 p.m., Centralia